Verdun is synonymous with one of the longest and deadliest battles of the First World War. In 1916, French and German armies fought here for ten months. Today the town on the Meuse and the battlefields around it form a deeply moving landscape of memorials, forts and forests that have grown over the shell craters.
Why visit Verdun
A visit to Verdun helps you understand the scale of the Great War. The sites are well preserved and explained, and the town itself has a pleasant riverside centre.
Top things to see in and around Verdun
The Douaumont Ossuary
The Douaumont Ossuary holds the remains of around 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers. In front of it lies a vast military cemetery.
The forts of Douaumont and Vaux
Walk through the galleries of Fort de Douaumont and Fort de Vaux, scenes of fierce fighting in 1916.
The Verdun Memorial
The Mémorial de Verdun at Fleury-devant-Douaumont tells the story of the battle through soldiers’ experiences, objects and archive films.
The destroyed villages
Nine villages were wiped off the map during the battle. Signs now mark where houses, churches and streets once stood.
The underground citadel
In town, the Citadelle souterraine offers a guided ride through the tunnels where soldiers lived and rested.
The town of Verdun
Stroll along the Meuse quays, see the Victory Monument and the cathedral, and buy the town’s famous dragées (sugared almonds).
Best time to visit
April to October is best for walking the battlefields. Some sites have reduced hours in winter.
Getting there and around
The Meuse TGV station is about 30 km away, with a shuttle to Verdun; trains from Paris take about an hour to Meuse TGV. Metz-Nancy-Lorraine airport is the nearest. A car is the easiest way to visit the battlefields.
What to eat
Dragées de Verdun, quiche lorraine, mirabelle plums and Lorraine cooking.
Travel tips
- Allow a full day for the battlefield sites.
- Stay on marked paths in the forests: unexploded shells still remain in places.
Verdun FAQ
How long do you need in Verdun?
One to two days to see the battlefields and the town.
Can you visit the battlefields without a car?
Guided tours are available, but a car gives more flexibility.
